Draft program of the VI Astana Economic Forum 22-24 May, 2013

1. Draft program of the VI Astana Economic Forum 22-24 May, 2013

2. VI Astana Economic Forum Agenda and Structure Presentation Tracks We organized Forum agenda into five tracks to help frame the structure of Astana Economic Forum presentations. The intent of the tracks is to help attendees organize presentations they wish to attend in a meaningful way. Track I. Commodity Prices and Global Growth in 2013 Commodity price swings have had significant impact on economic growth, inflation, fiscal situation and trade between countries and jeopardize food security for the world’s population, especially among the poorest. Therefore, no serious discussion of global economic issues can be held without at least giving a cursory overview of the commodity prices and trends. Volatility in commodities markets is at the top of the agenda of leading economic and policy making summits and international forums. The program of AEF VI includes a discussion about potential solutions and best policies to confront excessive commodity price swings, which is particularly challenging in a weak economic environment. This track is designed to help policy makers and private sector representatives share ideas, thoughts and solutions that can help governments and private businesses mitigate adverse effects of global commodities price volatility. Track II. Infrastructure, Innovation and Technology Infrastructure is widely acknowledged to be critical for economic success, and infrastructure investments are promoted as leading to economic growth, either at the local or national level. This track is designed to engage speakers and audience on topics such as infrastructure investment and economic growth, innovation, role of public investment in infrastructure, and provide empirical evidence based on Kazakhstan’s own experience. Track III. Global Competitiveness This track will focus on creating a discussion between policy makers, business leaders, and successful entrepreneurs around the issue of competitiveness; discuss theory and practice of competitiveness theory and offer practical solutions to enabling economies achieve sustainable growth and long-term prosperity. Track IV. Social Development Social development is an important aspect of economic progress. Sustained economic progress is not possible without attending to social needs of the population. Likewise, achieving a decent standard of living is not feasible without strong economic progress. This track will address challenges of balancing economic growth with social development. Track V. Financial systems, Risks and Policy response Strengthening the international monetary and financial system is a top priority on the global policy making agenda, as evidenced by high level discussions at G8, G20, BRICS, IMF, World Bank and UN summits. This track focuses on financial and economic issues, and will include providing solutions to the current economic problems, stabilization and structural reforms, alternative investments, the development of financial systems, long-term investing, financial governance, and sustainable lending.

3. VI Astana Economic Forum Agenda and Structure Global leaders discussions This section of VII AEF will feature meetings and discussions about current state of global economic affairs, featuring best minds from around the world – Visionaries, Nobel Prize winners, Global top thinkers, Prominent Public Figures. This will be covered by leading media agencies. World anti-crises conference Emerging economies play an increasingly important role in the global markets and the need to expand the discussion of challenges faced by the global community beyond the G8 and G20 groups is quite obvious. The degree to which world markets are interconnected is such, that a negative event in one part of the world creates an immediate reaction in another. Financial crises of 2008 is a testament to that. Kazakhstan, being one of the rapidly growing emerging market economies is keenly interested in seeking out solutions that can prevent such crises, and proposes holding a Global Anti-Crises Conference. The goal of the conference is to develop a draft of Global Anti-Crises plan for UN based on principles of equality, transparency and global multi-polarity.